Seatbelt attachment to facilitate seatbelt access

ABSTRACT

A simple inexpensive one-piece device to aid one in acquiring the seatbelt within a motor vehicle. This one-piece flexible device is meant to be temporarily or permanently attached above the male member of the seatbelt buckle. The attachment may be accomplished with a snap on method as seen in this preferred embodiment but may also be done by other methods as will be obvious to those trained in the art. When the seatbelt is in its retracted position a long handle protrudes towards the windshield so that it is visible to the driver or passenger. With either arm the seatbelt can be easily grabbed and pulled across the body to fasten the seatbelt with minimal reaching. This is ideal for persons with back, neck, shoulder and arm pain.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to copending provisional patent application 60/401,134, filed Aug. 5, 2002 which is incorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a one-piece device to aid in acquiring the seatbelt within a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Most seatbelts in modern motor vehicles are located behind the window and can be adjusted up or down for driver or passenger comfort, but not forward and backward. If the belt is needed to be placed at its lowest position, it probably also needs to be pushed forward for a short person. Many laws govern seatbelt manufactures for safety reasons, and therefore a compromise is difficult to achieve that satisfies both the consumer and the safety laws. However after market rules and regulations allow the consumer to add accessories to the vehicle without modifying the components or affecting safety.

[0004] The device developed herein is an accessory device that can be easily attached to the already existing seatbelt and does not change the function of the preexisting seatbelt. Located directly above the shoulder belt buckle, this device enables a short-legged person to reach the seatbelt more easily. Also it is ideal for persons with back, neck, shoulder and/or arm pain or those with a limited range of motion such as the elderly. It may also be utilized when one's hands are dirty for the prevention of seatbelt soiling, or simply as a luxury device to make life easier. Lastly it is a reminder that the seatbelt has not been fastened because the handle is visible in the driver's peripheral vision. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This device is to be temporarily or permanently secured around the seatbelt by the user above the seatbelt shoulder buckle. The handle is designed to protrude forward from the retracted seatbelt allowing easier access to acquiring the seatbelt. This enables one's hand to grasp the seatbelt without having to reach as far back as in conventional seatbelt arrangements. Once the handle has been grabbed it can be pulled across the chest just as a regular seatbelt normally would.

[0006] The design illustrated herein includes a base, two snaps, two holes, and a handle. The base is made of two parts, connected by a thin layer of material, acting as a hinge, so that it can be folded over the seatbelt. A laminant may be placed over the thin hinge so that it will not tear. Holes are located on the handle side of the base and the snaps are at the free end of the base. The snaps are cylindrical structures protruding from the base with a larger cylindrical structure at the distal end from the base allowing a secure fit with the holes. The handle is a cylindrical curved protrusion that tapers at the two ends so that it forms a smooth connection to the base. The securing of the seat belt attachment to the seat belt may be accomplished by multiple other means while remaining within the spirit of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a view of a seatbelt attachment 1 around an automobile seatbelt 2 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is an open view of the whole device prior to installation indicating the open base 3, knobs 4, holes 5, and the handle 6.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a schematic of the closed seatbelt attachment 1 viewed from the front.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a schematic of the closed seatbelt attachment 1 viewed from the back.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a view of the seatbelt device 1 with a logo on the back of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Ergonomic components in a vehicle are designed for the average body build to satisfy the majority of the population. The present seatbelt invention solves the problem of human joint pain and people that do not have an average sized frame, others having experienced back, neck, shoulder, elbow and wrist surgery will also benefit from this invention.

[0014] The invention is a one-piece unit, easily applied to any ordinary retracted seatbelt above the male member of the seatbelt buckle located on the shoulder belt component. The handle part of the device is designed to project out towards the windshield allowing the passenger or driver to grasp the seatbelt without reaching as far back.

[0015] The accompanying drawings lead to a detailed description of one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an outside view of one exemplary embodiment of the invention around a seatbelt. The one-piece unit is folded around the seatbelt so that the snap-like knobs are through the holes securing the device around the seatbelt. FIG. 2 illustrates an open inside view of the invention. FIG. 3 refers to the whole base which is to be folded in the middle to rap around the seatbelt. The knobs 4 are located at the distal end of the device in the open view. The knobs 4 are cylindrical protrusions that include a larger cylindrical protrusion with smaller depth at the distal ends. The holes 5 go all the way through the base. The cylindrical sweep 6 represents the handle. Toward the distal end of the handle 6, at the base, a taper was created to flow from the handle into the base. FIG. 3 is an inside view of the closed seatbelt invention. FIG. 4 is an outside view of the closed invention. Lastly FIG. 5 is an outside view of the seatbelt invention displaying a logo or advertisement. The knobs 4 have been inserted into the holes 5 and the device can be securely fastened to the seatbelt.

[0016] Many materials can be used to manufacture this device such as synthetic rubber, thermoplastics, leather, vinyl, and cloth with manufacturing possibilities of die cutting and stitching. In one embodiment the device is made of ethylene methyl acrylate copolymers for its flexibility, durability, rigidity, and FDA approval and was injection molded. A logo has been applied using a hot foil stamp technique. Other ways of attaching a logo include silk screening, a sticker, pad printing and molded in logo, other methods of applying a logo may be used per manufacturers discretion. Other design options included within this patent are different handle shapes as well as various types of attachment mechanisms depending on the car and seat configuration in which the device will be used. The following illustrations will show another shape of the device in illustrations 8-14. 

I claim:
 1. A seatbelt handle used in coordination with a motor vehicle seat and shoulder belt comprising: a single piece seat belt attachment comprising a base which when wrapped around the seatbelt attaches to it securely; and a handle easily reachable, which extends toward the front of the vehicle when in the retracted position in its ready to use position.
 2. The seatbelt aid of claim 1, further comprising a base that securely fastens to the seatbelt.
 3. A seatbelt attachment, comprising: a loop that when in its ready to use position, protrudes forward and is positioned such that a driver may, by simply bending his or her arm toward his or her shoulder, the loop of the seat belt attachment will be easily grabbed and pulled without over stretching and reaching back as in conventional seat belt arrangement.
 4. The seatbelt attachment of claim 3, further comprising two large surfaces for advertising and billboarding. 